Update: Has anyone used lead vests/shields etc for radiation?
Update: Thanks for all the sage advice!! I'm still using the cabbage leaves after each treatment. Cream goes on overnite and I wash off in the morning before I have my treatment. I have 19 more to go and my skin is a little pink in places. Itching has gotten worse and I get nauseous in the middle of the night(dont know whats up with that??). Still have my hot flashes but not as often now. Thank you autumn!!
Comments
-
no shield
i had radiation in 2009 on my left side 33 treatments i never had anything for a shield and as far as i know ive never heard of anyone having one. i just had my thyroid checked this year 2 years out from treatment it was fine everyone is different.
best of luck to you.
teresa0 -
I asked about it and wasteresa41 said:no shield
i had radiation in 2009 on my left side 33 treatments i never had anything for a shield and as far as i know ive never heard of anyone having one. i just had my thyroid checked this year 2 years out from treatment it was fine everyone is different.
best of luck to you.
teresa
I asked about it and was told that there was no need. scatter is minimal.0 -
Another twofer radiation girl!carkris said:I asked about it and was
I asked about it and was told that there was no need. scatter is minimal.
Corinna -
I also had radiation to both breasts at the same time, in 2009 -- from what I could tell from the radiation techs' heavy sighs about it being more work for them, I don't think it's very common, so I'm glad to hear someone else is doing it, too!
They did not use any kind of shields with me. The radiation oncologist explained to me that radiation now is very, very focused and targeted, and I don't need to worry about exposure to any surrounding tissue.
Hope that helps?
Traci0 -
No shield
No shield, I was told the radiation was very well directed.
Good luck.
marge0 -
I often thought that and
I often thought that and never asked..I DID NOT use anything..(Like dentist draps on you) I have also heard of something for neck area...
Denise0 -
I often thought that and
I often thought that and never asked..I DID NOT use anything..(Like dentist draps on you) I have also heard of something for neck area...
Denise0 -
No, no vest or shield forTraciInLA said:Another twofer radiation girl!
Corinna -
I also had radiation to both breasts at the same time, in 2009 -- from what I could tell from the radiation techs' heavy sighs about it being more work for them, I don't think it's very common, so I'm glad to hear someone else is doing it, too!
They did not use any kind of shields with me. The radiation oncologist explained to me that radiation now is very, very focused and targeted, and I don't need to worry about exposure to any surrounding tissue.
Hope that helps?
Traci
No, no vest or shield for me. Like Traci said, the machines are so focused now that there would be no need for them.
Good luck to you!0 -
In my simulation appt., it
In my simulation appt., it was explained that the machine directs to the area being radiated and does not spread around 'everywhere'. I was surprised that the room did not have a door on it - just a big opening, probably 8' tall and 10' wide, that was totally open. The room was also round and when I asked about the door and shape they said that there was no reason for a door as the shape prevented any rays from escaping the room.
I burned very bad after rads were over and the area that had been radiated was very clear - striaght lines no 'fuzzliness' to them at all. Also found out that the area radiated was bigger than I had thought - it went up the side of my neck and around to the back.
My thyroid has quit working since rads but don't know if they had anything to do with it or not - my thyroid has been checked most of my life as when I was about 18 months old my tonsils were taken out and radiation was done to my throat (common practice back then in the mid/late 1940's) to prevent them from growing back - they did anyway and I still have the second set at 65 y/o - LOL.
Susan0 -
BOY was I suruprised when IRague said:In my simulation appt., it
In my simulation appt., it was explained that the machine directs to the area being radiated and does not spread around 'everywhere'. I was surprised that the room did not have a door on it - just a big opening, probably 8' tall and 10' wide, that was totally open. The room was also round and when I asked about the door and shape they said that there was no reason for a door as the shape prevented any rays from escaping the room.
I burned very bad after rads were over and the area that had been radiated was very clear - striaght lines no 'fuzzliness' to them at all. Also found out that the area radiated was bigger than I had thought - it went up the side of my neck and around to the back.
My thyroid has quit working since rads but don't know if they had anything to do with it or not - my thyroid has been checked most of my life as when I was about 18 months old my tonsils were taken out and radiation was done to my throat (common practice back then in the mid/late 1940's) to prevent them from growing back - they did anyway and I still have the second set at 65 y/o - LOL.
Susan
BOY was I suruprised when I finished my radiation-I thought (dah on me) that the radiation was PIN pointed to ONE exact location per say! I did not have any side effects, no burning etc...so once all said and done I TOOK a close look and I had BIG squard TAN on one side of my chest. I KNOW I had all the tattoos etc..but I THOUGHT just to line me up...I DID NOT realize how big the area was that got radiation!
Denise0 -
I always knew that the radsdisneyfan2008 said:BOY was I suruprised when I
BOY was I suruprised when I finished my radiation-I thought (dah on me) that the radiation was PIN pointed to ONE exact location per say! I did not have any side effects, no burning etc...so once all said and done I TOOK a close look and I had BIG squard TAN on one side of my chest. I KNOW I had all the tattoos etc..but I THOUGHT just to line me up...I DID NOT realize how big the area was that got radiation!
Denise
I always knew that the rads I had covered a fair sized area as it was explained that due to being IBC there would be no boosts ('pin point') as the area involved was just too big to do any 'pin points'. I did 'tan' in the rectangle but didn't in the part that went up the side of neck (don't know why but didn't) - when the burns started the next day after the last rad and when they opened up, it was a huge surprise to have them going up the side of my neck or around to the edge of my back. For the first 2 sites they would hit daily they used waffle-y looking pads (don't remember the correct name for them) that moderated the depth of penetration but the other sites didn't have them.
Susan0 -
Yeah, welcome to the club!TraciInLA said:Another twofer radiation girl!
Corinna -
I also had radiation to both breasts at the same time, in 2009 -- from what I could tell from the radiation techs' heavy sighs about it being more work for them, I don't think it's very common, so I'm glad to hear someone else is doing it, too!
They did not use any kind of shields with me. The radiation oncologist explained to me that radiation now is very, very focused and targeted, and I don't need to worry about exposure to any surrounding tissue.
Hope that helps?
Traci
Yeah, welcome to the club! Now at least I will have evenly burned boobs!
0 -
Glad you told me about theRague said:In my simulation appt., it
In my simulation appt., it was explained that the machine directs to the area being radiated and does not spread around 'everywhere'. I was surprised that the room did not have a door on it - just a big opening, probably 8' tall and 10' wide, that was totally open. The room was also round and when I asked about the door and shape they said that there was no reason for a door as the shape prevented any rays from escaping the room.
I burned very bad after rads were over and the area that had been radiated was very clear - striaght lines no 'fuzzliness' to them at all. Also found out that the area radiated was bigger than I had thought - it went up the side of my neck and around to the back.
My thyroid has quit working since rads but don't know if they had anything to do with it or not - my thyroid has been checked most of my life as when I was about 18 months old my tonsils were taken out and radiation was done to my throat (common practice back then in the mid/late 1940's) to prevent them from growing back - they did anyway and I still have the second set at 65 y/o - LOL.
Susan
Glad you told me about the radiated area. I will try to put some lotion on that area too!0 -
For X-rays
For x-rays, collimation is as important as shielding to reduce patients exposure. So it makes sense that, since they are better at targeting the area to be radiated, the shielding isn't as much of an issue.
I didn't ask for a shield and no one offered. They were radiating the LNs at my collar bone so there isn't really a way to shield with out getting in the way.
Cindy0 -
Started taking iodine for mymamolady said:For X-rays
For x-rays, collimation is as important as shielding to reduce patients exposure. So it makes sense that, since they are better at targeting the area to be radiated, the shielding isn't as much of an issue.
I didn't ask for a shield and no one offered. They were radiating the LNs at my collar bone so there isn't really a way to shield with out getting in the way.
Cindy
Started taking iodine for my thyroid. Maybe that will help. Also have techs cover my lower half of body/abdomen area. Mom has ovarian ca. guess you can never be too careful..0 -
Traci, since you had it inTraciInLA said:Another twofer radiation girl!
Corinna -
I also had radiation to both breasts at the same time, in 2009 -- from what I could tell from the radiation techs' heavy sighs about it being more work for them, I don't think it's very common, so I'm glad to hear someone else is doing it, too!
They did not use any kind of shields with me. The radiation oncologist explained to me that radiation now is very, very focused and targeted, and I don't need to worry about exposure to any surrounding tissue.
Hope that helps?
Traci
Traci, since you had it in 2009 how are they healing? I was wondering if this will be the only tan part of my body forever! I'm glad pale skin is in. I have to avoid the sun for radiation and I have skin cancer on top of it! I pop vit d like candy now!
0 -
Still tan around the "edges"Corinna11 said:Traci, since you had it in
Traci, since you had it in 2009 how are they healing? I was wondering if this will be the only tan part of my body forever! I'm glad pale skin is in. I have to avoid the sun for radiation and I have skin cancer on top of it! I pop vit d like candy now!
Corinna,
After I was done with radiation and the redness went away, I was left with a big tan rectangle on my torso, which has (very) slowly faded over time. I'm also very pale, so it was quite noticeable when I looked in the mirror, for at least a year.
Now, almost 2 years out, I only have subtle "tan lines" around a few "edges" of the field -- under my breasts is the most noticeable (by contrast, because my tummy is so white), a little around the underarm area, and, if you squint, you can still see the white space that I called the "demilitarized zone" between my breasts. Nothing that shows in clothes at all -- and I don't (usually) run around topless! :-)
Traci0 -
No shield or vest for me.mwallace1325 said:No shield
No shield, I was told the radiation was very well directed.
Good luck.
marge
No shield or vest for me. The radiation process is so different now, better than it was before. It was explained to me that it is kind of concave now and only targets the area it is suppose to.
Jan0 -
Good. That makes me feelTraciInLA said:Still tan around the "edges"
Corinna,
After I was done with radiation and the redness went away, I was left with a big tan rectangle on my torso, which has (very) slowly faded over time. I'm also very pale, so it was quite noticeable when I looked in the mirror, for at least a year.
Now, almost 2 years out, I only have subtle "tan lines" around a few "edges" of the field -- under my breasts is the most noticeable (by contrast, because my tummy is so white), a little around the underarm area, and, if you squint, you can still see the white space that I called the "demilitarized zone" between my breasts. Nothing that shows in clothes at all -- and I don't (usually) run around topless! :-)
Traci
Good. That makes me feel better. Since I've only done 8 treatments I dont have any lines yet but I always feel better if I know what Im in for...
Ive been putting cabbage leaves on my chest after rads (another rad grad suggested this) and so far its working! Kinda creepy though after I take them off they are cooked and crispy around the edges... yuck!0 -
Cabbage leaves?Corinna11 said:Good. That makes me feel
Good. That makes me feel better. Since I've only done 8 treatments I dont have any lines yet but I always feel better if I know what Im in for...
Ive been putting cabbage leaves on my chest after rads (another rad grad suggested this) and so far its working! Kinda creepy though after I take them off they are cooked and crispy around the edges... yuck!
Never heard that before.0 -
No I didn't have either ofdisneyfan2008 said:I often thought that and
I often thought that and never asked..I DID NOT use anything..(Like dentist draps on you) I have also heard of something for neck area...
Denise
No I didn't have either of those. Good luck with rads and keep us posted as to how you are doing.0
Discussion Boards
- All Discussion Boards
- 6 CSN Information
- 6 Welcome to CSN
- 121.2K Cancer specific
- 2.8K Anal Cancer
- 440 Bladder Cancer
- 306 Bone Cancers
- 1.6K Brain Cancer
- 28.4K Breast Cancer
- 391 Childhood Cancers
- 27.9K Colorectal Cancer
- 4.6K Esophageal Cancer
- 1.2K Gynecological Cancers (other than ovarian and uterine)
- 12.9K Head and Neck Cancer
- 6.3K Kidney Cancer
- 666 Leukemia
- 789 Liver Cancer
- 4.1K Lung Cancer
- 5.1K Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin)
- 235 Multiple Myeloma
- 7.1K Ovarian Cancer
- 53 Pancreatic Cancer
- 486 Peritoneal Cancer
- 5.3K Prostate Cancer
- 1.2K Rare and Other Cancers
- 532 Sarcoma
- 717 Skin Cancer
- 647 Stomach Cancer
- 190 Testicular Cancer
- 1.5K Thyroid Cancer
- 5.8K Uterine/Endometrial Cancer
- 6.3K Lifestyle Discussion Boards